Phytochemical, nutritional and antioxidant properties of Abelmoschus esculentus Moench L leaf: A pointer to its fertility potentials

Igbo-Ora, a small town in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, has the world's highest dizygotic twinning rate. The real cause of this phenomenon is uncertain, but the residents generally believe their traditional diet of Abelmoschus esculentus (L) (okra) leaf soup known as "Ilasa" is majorly responsible for their multiple births. This study is a pointer and is aimed at determining the phytochemical, nutritional and antioxidant potentials of an extract of Abelmoschus esculentus (L) (okra) leaf. Ethanolic extract of the powdered okra leaf sample was prepared and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses using standard methods. Proximate composition, mineral elements, amino acids and vitamins constituents were analyzed. The in vitro antioxidant potential of the leaf extract was also carried to evaluate the radical scavenging and reducing properties of the extract. The extract contained a significant amount of polyphenols which could be responsible for its protective and therapeutic potentials. The leaf contained about 10% of crude protein, and a minimized amount of moisture (about 8%) and the fibre (6.24%) content superseded the fat (2.54%). The carbohydrate composition was significantly high (66.99 +/- 0.03). These portrayed the leaf as not just possessing bioactive phytochemicals but as a nutritionally relevant sample. The extract of the leaf inhibited the activities of radicals namely DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide via its reducing potential. As a pilot study to further research on the fertility potency of the leaf, this study has revealed the antioxidant activity of the leaf vis a vis its nutritional and phytochemical compositions.